Choosing the right in- window air conditioner for you

Summer is coming and you might be in the market to replace your old ac unit. So how do you know what to buy? Here are some tips.

Don’t buy a larger air conditioner than you need.

Most people think bigger is better, but that is not always the case. According to Consumer Reports and The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM),   an AC unit too large or powerful for your room will turn off its compressor before it’s had a chance to “lower” the humidity level in the room. The results will be a room that is cold, clammy, and uncomfortable.

To figure out what size air conditioner you need for you room, measure the size of the room first. Then multiply the length by the width and that total is your square footage. You can use a chart or calculation provided by a manufacturer (usually available on their website) to determine how many BTUs (or British Thermal Units) you need your air conditioner to produce.

Consider your climate and other factors when purchasing an air conditioner.

Do you live in a hot and humid climate or it more of a dry heat? How many windows does the room have? Is it shady? What direction is the window facing? Consumer Reports provides as interactive worksheet that takes all these items into account, as does AHAM. To find out what type or air conditioner you need, visit AHAM’s interactive worksheet and see your results based on region, the structure of your house, and the people and activities inside of it.

After finding the correct AC for your home, try to purchase a unit that is energy efficient and look for the “AHAM-certified” seal. According to the AHAM’s website, “Models certified through AHAM’s program have been tested and their performance verified by an independent laboratory, assuring consumers that the product will perform according to the manufacturer’s product claims for BTU’s per hour, amps and efficiency.”

So what if you do not own a new air conditioner or can’t afford to buy one? There are ways to make your current air conditioner work better and be more energy efficient. Sign up for the AP Wagner Newsletter and get some valuable tips on how to make your old air conditioner more energy efficient and how to cut down on summer energy bills.

More help and related articles

• Air Conditioner Parts
• Replace your air conditioner filter
• Why does the air conditioner hum but not blow any cool air out?

Lower your cooling bills this summer

Use these tips to save money and keep cool during the summer.

1. Weather-proof your home. Most people associate weather proofing and drafts as an activity you do when preparing for winter. However, weather proofing is just as valuable in the summer especial when drafts lead to cool air leaking out and hot air seeping in.

• Air infiltration will also cause your in-room air conditioner or HVAC system to work harder to cool more which in turn increase your electric bills.
• Check for drafts around windows, doors and vents to the exterior, like extraction fans or clothes dryer vents. Use a stick of incense to detect air movement and to see if you have a draft.
• Check the weather stripping on your windows and doors and replace if needed.
• Use spray foam or the proper calk (there are several kinds and this story helps explain them well) around windows and doors to fill small gaps and holes. Also check around outlets, cable jacks, telephone lines and dryer vents for gaps that causes air to escape.

1. The recommended minimum setting for energy efficiency during the summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a programmable thermostat to decrease the temperatures in your home only when you are in it. According to this article from The Rancho Cordova Post, a programmable thermostat can save you over $100 per year over the non-programmable kinds.
2. If you are going to be away from home for more than four hours, turn the AC off. If you are going to be gone less than two, keep the AC level the same.
3. Purchase a whole house fan or ceiling fan to circulate cool air throughout your home.
4. Skip the oven and cook using a microwave or grill outside in order to reduce the residual heat caused by a stove.

5. Properly maintain your air conditioner

• Change or clean the air filter (if you have a reusable filter.) It is recommended that you clean of change the air filter on your air conditioner at least twice a month during cooling season.
• Clean the dust off of your air conditioners coils with a coil brush. Remove the cover and use a soft brush, vacuum, or compressed air to clean the coils. The coils need to be clean for proper heat transfer.
• Straighten any AC fins that might have gotten bent over the year or while in storage.
• Dirty air conditioner parts and a dirty filter can cause your unit to work harder. Not only does this wear on the unit, it costs you more money to run the unit in the first place.
• When purchasing a new in-room air conditioner, buy only what you need. Measure the size of the room first and then multiply the length by the width and that total is your square footage. You can use a chart or calculation provided by a manufacturer (usually available on their website) to determine how many BTUs you need your air conditioner to handle. You will also want to take into account how shady or sunny the room will be. Add ten percent more for a sunny room, and take ten percent away for shaded rooms.

6. Unplug your phone charger and small appliances when not in use.

7. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when you have full loads.
8. Lines dry your clothes and skip the clothes dryer for the summer and even into the fall.
9. Check with your local utility company to see if they offer any rebates of credits for purchasing programmable thermostats, Energy efficient air conditioning units, attic insulation. In Florida, the City of Ocala Electric 10. Utility is offer rebates on home heating and cooling upgrades and other energy-efficient appliances. Check with your local utility company to see what they offer.
11. Any energy-efficient improvements you make to your home might be viable for the federal tax credit. Areas covered include windows and doors, insulation, and HVAC improvements, check the EnergyStar.Gov Website to see what you need to do in order to qualify.

Appliance Parts:

• Kenmore Air Conditioner Parts
• GE Air Conditioner Parts
• Maytag Air Conditioner Parts
• Whirlpool Air Conditioner Parts
• Samsung Air Conditioner Parts

How to Clean Your In-Room Air Conditioning Unit

Please check your appliance warranty before undertaking any repair of your appliance. Be sure to unplug any appliance before attempting any repairs!

If the air blowing from your air conditioning unit starts to smell bad, you may have mold growing in your AC Unit. This should be taken very seriously as the stagnant water can lead to fungi, molds, mildews, and bacteria being distributed through the air and water particles being blown out through the unit. Such growths can lead to illnesses like Legionnaires’ disease, named after the previously unknown bacteria that caused illness during the 1976 convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia.

What you will need to clean out your AC Unit:

• A/C filter cleaner spray on foam in an aerosol can
  

  Before you start, be sure you have the proper tools. photo source: stockxchng.com

• Long Handled AC brush
• AC Condenser Fin comb
• New AC filter (if disposable type)
• Selection of screwdrivers
• All purpose Oil in container with dropper tip.
• Spray (pump) bottle full of water
• HEPA filter mask
• Rags
• Vacuum cleaner with hose attachments
• Multi-compartment container for holding screws (ice cube tray or muffin pan works well.)

Unplug and remove the AC from the window and place it in a place where you can easily clean and remove dust, preferably outside or on a concrete surface. If you are going to be cleaning it indoors, be sure to protect your floors with a drop cloth or, better yet, a plastic sheet to catch any water from cleaning. Wear a HEPA filter mask to prevent breathing in any mold or dust particles.

Remove the filter from the front grill and replace it with a new filter. If the filter is the non-disposable type, soak it for 15 minutes in a sink with a combination of dish detergent and hot water. Rinse the filter well and allow it to dry completely.

Remove the front grill cover from your unit. Check for springs or screws below the front of the unit and gently pull the cover forward while pressing down on the cover.

Remove all the screws attached to the metal cover of air conditioner and lift the cover straight up. Be careful to keep track of all the screws you are removing. An old ice cube tray or muffin pan works well for keeping track of the screws.

Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If the fan has any oil plugs, take caution when removing them as they might have become brittle over time and will break off, blocking the plug. If this happens, remove the broken plug with the tip of your screwdriver. Add a few drops of oil to each fan motor oil hole (do not over-oil as it could cause damage to your AC Unit.)

Clean the front fins using the AC aerosol spray cleaner to remove, dust, dirt, mildew, and stains. The aerosol spray will be able to get in-between the fins to properly remove any mold and dust. Be careful not to bend the fins as they are often made from aluminum or other easily-bendable metal. Because the fins are easily bendable, be sure to use an AC Condenser brush for cleaning the fins. Reshape any flattened or punched in fins, as these encourage mold growth and prevent proper airflow and cooling. The best tool for this task is a Fin Comb which will gently straighten multiple fins in minutes saving you hours of work. Flush fins with warm water (this is where working outside helps!) using the pump action spray bottle. Allow to dry for 15 minutes. Be careful not to spray or spill water onto any electrical parts, as a precaution; cover these parts with a clean rag .If your fins are stained you might need to do clean and flush them again, over a period of several months. Just be sure to unplug the unit every time.

Gently clean the condenser coils in the back of the unit with a rag or brush.

If there is any standing water from the drip pan or base, be sure to drain it.

Gently wipe down the blower fan blades.

Vacuum all surfaces of the AC cover inside and the front and back grill assembly. Be sure to vacuum the air vents or wipe off any dust and debris build up with a rag.

Reassemble any parts you removed from the unit, plug it in and test to make sure it works. You can place the cover over the unit, but do not put the screws back in, you want to make sure everything was properly assembled and aligned or else there might be noise from misalignment.

After you are satisfied that everything is running correct, either reinstall your unit or store it in a cool, dry place. You can set the unit on two pieces of woods to allow for air circulation under the unit and to discourage mold growth. To further protect your unit, use an air conditioner cover.

Additional Sources:

• For more tips on cleaning mold in your home, visit the North Dakota State University’s web site: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/safety/ae1179w.htm.

• Step-by-step process of cleaning an air conditioner with photos. http://learn-something-new.blogspot.com/2006/04/musty-ac.html#links

Proper ways to store your in-room air conditioner

Fall is approaching and it’s time to take out your in-room air conditioner. To make sure it’s ready to go for next year’s hot weather, follow these tips:

• Change the AC filter now, so it’s all ready to go for next year’s hot weather. Find the filter that fits your AC Unit.
• Store your air conditioner is a dry, clean, dust-free place. It’s better to use your basement than your garage for storage.
• If you remove any sealer strips and air conditioner bracket and mounts make sure you package these items together and store them in a safe place so that they are ready to go for next year’s hot weather.
• Clean the coils once a season or more. Remove the cover and use a soft brush, vacuum, or compressed air to clean them. If you can let the unit sit for a few days to dry, you may want to consider hosing it down. However, it is imperative to let the unit dry completely before plugging it back in. Sometimes a thorough cleaning can get a unit that was running warm to run cool again. The coils need to be clean for proper heat transfer.

Be sure to properly store and cover your air conditioner. Purchase an air conditioner cover online.

If your AC is missing any parts, why not replace them now so that your unit is ready to go for next year! Check out APWagner.com’s Air Conditioner Parts Page.

Is your air conditioner having problems? Check out common air conditioner problems and repair solutions at our repair center.

How Do Air Conditioners Work?

An air conditioner takes warm air and makes it cooler by transferring the heat using evaporation principles. When you turn on your air conditioner, the thermostat control measures the air temperature. If the air temperature is warmer than the setting on the thermostat, it sends power to the compressor.

After the compressor gets power from the thermostat, it starts pumping and compresses a refrigerant gas, causing it to become a hot, high-pressure gas. Next, this hot gas flows through a set of condenser coils where it dissipates its heat to the surrounding air which is pushed past the coils by a fan, and then condenses into a liquid. Following that, the liquid flows through what’s called a capillary tube. During this process, the liquid refrigerant evaporates to become a cold, low-pressure gas. This cold gas flows through a set of evaporator coils which allows the gas to absorb heat, and by absorbing that heat; it cools down the air which passes over the coils, and then this cold air gets pushed into the room or building by the air conditioner’s fan. When warm, moist air goes over these coils, they collect condensation, which drips off and flows through a drain tube into a drip tray. This water usually flows to the back of the unit where it is sometimes thrown by the condenser coil fan onto the condenser coils to help cool the hot coils down. You may even hear the sound of the water getting splashed around. This part of the process also reduces the humidity levels in the room or house.

A fan blows the air from the room over the cold evaporator coils and back into the room at a cooler temperature to cool the room. It also blows warm outside air over the condensor coils so they don’t get too hot. The selector switch controls how fast the fan motor goes and therefore how much air is moved.

Once the thermostat measures the temperature of the room to be slightly lower than the control setting, it sends an electrical current which turns off the compressor. The fan may continue to blow the air between cooling cycles. Once the thermostat measures that the temperature is again above the desired temperature, the compressor shuts off until it gets the start signal, and the process begins again.